Speciation of Manganese in
Drinking Water

Although manganese (Mn) is an essential element, neurotoxicity by inhalation has been widely described, particularly in workers and miners, where exposure is relatively high. Recently, there have been a number of studies suggesting that oral exposure to manganese in drinking water may have adverse effects on neurological development in children.

WRc has undertaken a study for the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) that included a literature review of all current data on the potential neurotoxicity of oral manganese exposure, both from experimental animal and epidemiological studies. WRc then conducted four seasonal monitoring surveys in final drinking water at 20 sites, which measured total and soluble manganese to estimate the concentration of the more biologically available Mn(II), and Mn(IV).